tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36925677864325442422018-03-07T16:29:34.620-05:00Sometimes It's Cloudy, Sometimes It's ClearPam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.comBlogger720125SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClearhttps://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-91414112694139009342018-02-10T01:00:00.000-05:002018-02-10T22:04:40.783-05:00The Joy of Beginning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love to try new things. Over the years I have dabbled in writing and art, cake decorating and yoga, jewelry making and sewing, scrapbooking and soap making, knitting and crocheting, mandolin and tin whistle playing. Although few of these activities have put money in my pocket - in fact, most of them have required at least a minimal financial investment on my part - I don't consider any to have been a waste of time. In face, most of these dabblings have really resonated with my soul in some way and become important parts of my life, at least for a season.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also, putting myself in the position of being a beginner at a task makes me a better teacher. I have been playing the piano for more than fifty years; it is easy for me to take for granted the skills have been acquired through long hours of practice and unyielding persistence. It is not so for my piano students, especially those just starting out. Every week, their reward for mastering previous work is being assigned new and more challenging tasks. In order to make progress, they must keep putting themselves out there and deal with the frustration that accompanies making the inevitable mistakes. They have no choice but to trust me as I encourage them to keep trying, helping them to understand that the only way they will fail is if they give up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When faced with similar challenges as a beginner myself, I am reminded how it feels to be inexpert and vulnerable. It affirms that my most important job as a teacher is a simple one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To be kind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">* * *</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A short week ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the Threadmill Complex in Austell, Georgia,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RjWDFk47BHg/WnyCu18ZLHI/AAAAAAAAH4o/GVvIaQWZKKoAQb5akvvMk2sIk9HEUez7gCLcBGAs/s1600/ukulele2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RjWDFk47BHg/WnyCu18ZLHI/AAAAAAAAH4o/GVvIaQWZKKoAQb5akvvMk2sIk9HEUez7gCLcBGAs/s320/ukulele2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinky Flamingo strikes a pose.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;where I strode purposefully into the <a href="http://www.ukerepublic.com/"><span style="color: red;">Uke Republic</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xF1ROG6SGks/WnyCuoVq7WI/AAAAAAAAH4k/HoAhAPFywBsclexG6AJR5dPDppfA5z_rQCLcBGAs/s1600/ukulele3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xF1ROG6SGks/WnyCuoVq7WI/AAAAAAAAH4k/HoAhAPFywBsclexG6AJR5dPDppfA5z_rQCLcBGAs/s320/ukulele3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and bought myself a ukulele.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNeEtb9f2BM/WnyCuKzRhkI/AAAAAAAAH4g/oU8Mo_FZJa8azxdH_rbZCTDl0N0s3HQuACLcBGAs/s1600/ukulele1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNeEtb9f2BM/WnyCuKzRhkI/AAAAAAAAH4g/oU8Mo_FZJa8azxdH_rbZCTDl0N0s3HQuACLcBGAs/s320/ukulele1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Ohana CK 70,&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">concert size, spruce and maple.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also picked up a beginner method book and am attempting to teach myself how to play, although at this point I can't manage more than&nbsp;five or ten minutes at a time because the fingers on my left hand have grown so sore from pressing down on the strings along the fretboard. Eventually, though, I will develop callouses and my endurance will increase. In the meantime, I have taught myself how to play a C major scale, a few simple tunes, four chords, and Bach's Minuet in G (transposed into the key of C). Not bad for five days' work! Yes, it all feels very awkward; nothing sounds the way I want it to and my chord changes are hesitant at best.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But, like my piano students, I will not fail so long as I persevere.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">* * *</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have you had any new beginnings in this new year? Leave a message in the comments to share your experiences with other readers!</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/OKQRYc1xcrQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com4http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-joy-of-beginning.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-46478603785063888622017-12-31T15:21:00.001-05:002018-01-05T12:08:45.539-05:00Looking Back, Looking Ahead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQ0GCmYTg48/WklGEcteRiI/AAAAAAAAH2c/CReMnPypnX0gPckZjiqwjtEBDJbYDM-hACLcBGAs/s1600/hygge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQ0GCmYTg48/WklGEcteRiI/AAAAAAAAH2c/CReMnPypnX0gPckZjiqwjtEBDJbYDM-hACLcBGAs/s320/hygge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">2017 has been quite a year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I made good on my "one word," <i>venture</i>, traveling to Europe for the first time since 1982 and to Sedona, Arizona where I recorded <i>Seashells in My Pocket</i> my first ever album of original solo piano music. I went to Nashville where I was welcomed into the family of <a href="http://enlightenedpianoradio.com/"><span style="color: red;">Enlightened Piano Radio</span> </a>artists; since then, I have also become a <a href="http://whisperings.com/"><span style="color: red;">Whisperings Solo Piano</span></a> artist. My music is on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/4mP4jktK0i9pyxEdQCTvH9"><span style="color: red;">Spotify</span></a> and<span style="color: red;"> </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/seashells-in-my-pocket/1288877944"><span style="color: red;">iTunes</span></a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Seashells-My-Pocket-Pam-Asberry/dp/B0762RVKFL"><span style="color: red;">Amazon</span></a> and has been listened to in countries all over the world.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have grown as a musician in other ways too. I performed with the Redeemer Piano Ensemble and the Gwinnett Symphony Wind Orchestra and joined two local musicale groups. I have a new piano duo partner and have a concert planned with her in September 2018 and more concerts planned throughout the coming year with other solo piano artists. I adjudicated for numerous area piano festivals; I did a Saturday seminar for the Peoria Area Music Teachers Association in September; I presented at the Georgia Music Teachers Association state conference in November. All the while, I have maintained my studio of 58 piano students and taught them well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Few of us are lucky enough to make it through a year without experiencing loss. In August, my dear friend friend Shawn succumbed diabetes; in October, I said goodbye to my dog Karma, my faithful companion of fifteen years. In September, my dad fell and broke his hip, requiring hospitalization, surgery and physical therapy. But in November, my brother and I helped move my parents from southern Illinois into a rental home just ten miles from my house. I am happy to have them nearby and look forward to seeing them once or twice a week instead of once or twice a year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't make New Years resolutions anymore, but I do believe the end of the calendar year is a good time to reflect on past accomplishments and make plans for the future. And while I am proud of my achievements in many areas, I fell short in others. So yesterday I took a good hard look at my Amazing Life List, made some revisions, and honed in on 21 items that I believe I can check off in 2018. I have already started, formulating weekly goals for time at the piano, exercise, reading, and creating, and establishing deadlines throughout the year for the rest. I am visualizing myself this time next year reaping the fruits of my labors. It feels fantastic.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If there's one thing I am good at, it is GETTING STUFF DONE.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But all this going and doing have taken a toll on my body and mind. In the spring, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and now take medication daily to keep it under control. Exercise? My walking tracker&nbsp;app has been idle for weeks. Reading? The pile of unread books sitting next to my bed is three times the size of the stack of books I actually finished in 2017. I am a chronic insomniac; my intake of red wine and dark chocolate exceed what might provide health benefits.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is no laughing matter. Because I need to be healthy and fit if I am going to be able to check all the rest of those items off my Amazing Life List. I need to make time to nourish my body - for cooking and baking and getting out in the fresh air and taking a walk. I need to come up with a night time routine that I can adhere to and go to bed early if I need to. And I need to make time for all those things that nourish my mind - for reading and knitting and watching uplifting television shows and movies. I need to say "yes" to time with friends and "no" to to things I really don't want to do.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Recently, I stumbled across the word <i>hygge</i>, a Danish concept that cannot be translated into one single English word. <a href="http://visitdenmark.com/">Visitdenmark.com</a> says:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">“In essence, <i>hygge</i> means creating a nice, warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people around you. The warm glow of candlelight is <i>hygge</i>. Friends and family - that’s <i>hygge</i> too. And let’s not forget the eating and drinking - preferably sitting around the table for hours on end discussing the big and small things in life.”</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So my "one word" for 2018 is <i>hygge</i>. I want this to be the year that I really learn how to take care of myself. Obviously, my to-do list isn't going anywhere, but I am going to make a conscious effort to take regular breaks from the busy-ness of my daily life - to enjoy the simple pleasures of a warm bubble bath, a hot cup of tea, and a good book, and to simply <i>be </i>- in order to preserve my health and sanity.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And now, as I finish this final post of 2017, I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for following my blog and for supporting my work. I wish you all a safe and happy New Year's Eve and the best of everything in the year to come.</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/XvVAhbyltf4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com1http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2017/12/looking-back-looking-ahead.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-640443632557280042017-10-16T00:40:00.000-04:002017-10-16T09:21:51.372-04:00Seashells in My Pocket is launched!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;My debut solo piano CD, <i>Seashells in My Pocket</i>, officially released on Friday, October 13th.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;Like shells plucked from the seashore and tucked into my pocket as souvenirs from a magical day at the beach, these pieces evoke memories of some of the beautiful islands and coastal cities I have had the pleasure of visiting over the years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f7A7-yaIuRI/WeQD9SIq4RI/AAAAAAAAHyU/V8wg35j-44YnYRRyFz-RxoNjqQhSwknxgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f7A7-yaIuRI/WeQD9SIq4RI/AAAAAAAAHyU/V8wg35j-44YnYRRyFz-RxoNjqQhSwknxgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_6453.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straight from the manufacturer.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I transcribed all of my compositions and put them together to create a companion sheet music book.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy4f-KzDwfY/WeQBCv4DLeI/AAAAAAAAHyI/8EYD1w22lbwuHmedeDv_hWjXYC7hLlejQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_6867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy4f-KzDwfY/WeQBCv4DLeI/AAAAAAAAHyI/8EYD1w22lbwuHmedeDv_hWjXYC7hLlejQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_6867.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Seashells in My Pocket</i> solo piano sheet music book.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">And I made a pendant to tie in with the theme.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWFSpucgsic/WeQFxZLR6OI/AAAAAAAAHyk/-RjJObyHBsMg1K6WdK_0W7LJ0x2LcWuuACLcBGAs/s1600/Pendant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWFSpucgsic/WeQFxZLR6OI/AAAAAAAAHyk/-RjJObyHBsMg1K6WdK_0W7LJ0x2LcWuuACLcBGAs/s320/Pendant.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also available with a golden shadow or a clear diamond starfish.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">On Saturday night, I hosted a CD release concert/party to celebrate.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LDunL66i5ZE/WeQBDmPb5MI/AAAAAAAAHyA/NfC9BY8UiLcQu8eY45RABxdr3GEgTGtKgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LDunL66i5ZE/WeQBDmPb5MI/AAAAAAAAHyA/NfC9BY8UiLcQu8eY45RABxdr3GEgTGtKgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_6882.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pam Asberry playing a selection from <i>Seashells in My Pocke</i>t.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">It was pure joy to play all the pieces from my album, share the stories behind them, and sign autographs at intermission.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pG_qX5vVrHY/WeQBDpnZkGI/AAAAAAAAHyE/VfXEW1KfbM42gzhqhN3gNNRmOjM7ermzACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pG_qX5vVrHY/WeQBDpnZkGI/AAAAAAAAHyE/VfXEW1KfbM42gzhqhN3gNNRmOjM7ermzACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_6880.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My handsome son Nathan kept things running smoothly at the merchandise table.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;My album is available for purchase at <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/seashells-in-my-pocket/id1288877944"><span style="color: red;">iTunes</span></a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Seashells-My-Pocket-Pam-Asberry/dp/B0762RVKFL/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1508116751&amp;sr=8-13&amp;keywords=seashells+in+my+pocket"><span style="color: red;">Amazon</span></a>, and <a href="http://pamasberry.com/"><span style="color: red;">at my website</span></a>, where you can also order the companion songbook and pendant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is also available for streaming on Spotify. Click <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/4mP4jktK0i9pyxEdQCTvH9"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>&nbsp;to follow me on Spotify and add my music to your playlists.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mr9tnz7tcSs/WeQBDgHceDI/AAAAAAAAHx8/DZns7RmVYVozc66I_MQRz3VW0ovu0R2OwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mr9tnz7tcSs/WeQBDgHceDI/AAAAAAAAHx8/DZns7RmVYVozc66I_MQRz3VW0ovu0R2OwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_6892.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I can't really say this is a dream come true, because I am living a dream I never dared to imagine.<br />But now that I am on this journey, I hope it never ends.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for joining my on my grand adventure.</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/772Rbfoao4M" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com0http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2017/10/seashells-in-my-pocket-is-launched.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-77797181907586161552017-10-02T01:00:00.000-04:002017-10-02T01:00:13.317-04:00Seashells in My Pocket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-miDdaPBkB8c/WdFd-x_i3mI/AAAAAAAAHwU/mWwWrRkUvCUPsfusXn6fXayHhJHOMzMrACLcBGAs/s1600/Seashells%2Bin%2BMy%2BPocket%2Bcover-%2Bfull%2Bresolution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1433" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-miDdaPBkB8c/WdFd-x_i3mI/AAAAAAAAHwU/mWwWrRkUvCUPsfusXn6fXayHhJHOMzMrACLcBGAs/s320/Seashells%2Bin%2BMy%2BPocket%2Bcover-%2Bfull%2Bresolution.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am happy to announce that my debut solo piano CD, <i>Seashells in My Pocket</i>, is now available for pre-order!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can pre-order the physical CD, the digital album, and the companion sheet music book at Bandcamp (click <a href="https://pamasberry.bandcamp.com/releases"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a>).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If iTunes or Apple Music is more your style, the digital album is available for pre-order&nbsp;<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/seashells-in-my-pocket/id1288877944"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With any pre-order, the first track, <i>Cozumel Blue Water</i>s, is available for immediate download. The rest will be available for download/shipping on Friday, October 13th, the album's official release date.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">CD's and sheet music books will also be available at my CD release concert the next evening. I will play selections from the album and share the stories behind the music. Here are the details.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">SEASHELLS IN MY POCKET</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;CD RELEASE CONCERT</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saturday, October 14, 2017</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6:30-8:30 PM</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">PianoWorks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2805 Buford Highway, Duluth, GA, 30096</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Admission is FREE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the meantime, please "like" my new Facebook page (click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pamasberrymusic/"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a>) and visit my new website (click <a href="http://https//pamasberry.com"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a>). The website is still under construction, but after my release date that will be the best place to find news about concerts and to purchase CD's, songbooks and other merchandise.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I couldn't be more excited! As always, thank you for your support!</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/cx3_rB7eUEo" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com0http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2017/10/seashells-in-my-pocket.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-23913542781382714012017-08-08T10:50:00.001-04:002017-09-03T11:48:38.088-04:00Summer's End<i>The future started yesterday.</i><br /><div>~ John Legend<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5My08fidREU/WYnAdJz6UaI/AAAAAAAAHjc/wozEYX0v__UW42I1JZMsCFIs_Ypzp39zQCEwYBhgL/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5My08fidREU/WYnAdJz6UaI/AAAAAAAAHjc/wozEYX0v__UW42I1JZMsCFIs_Ypzp39zQCEwYBhgL/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Canyon, Arizona.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All good things must come to an end, and so did this wondrous summer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I sent it out with a bang. Last Wednesday morning, I boarded a Southwest jet, flew to Phoenix, rode the shuttle to my rental car, hopped in "my" Toyota Corolla, and drove to Sedona.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_jNFHYv3Pw/WYnAMvcXRNI/AAAAAAAAHi8/1k-zHtpX73o6Sm1MI7YTzDN-gmZSm5sXgCEwYBhgL/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_jNFHYv3Pw/WYnAMvcXRNI/AAAAAAAAHi8/1k-zHtpX73o6Sm1MI7YTzDN-gmZSm5sXgCEwYBhgL/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bell Rock, Sedona, Arizona</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As first sight of those famous red rock formations, I fell in love. I have always been drawn to the ocean and dreamed of living close to the water. But Sedona has its own special appeal. More than one person I met started out as a visitor there and ended up a permanent resident. I can see why.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few miles down the road, I found the lovely&nbsp;<a href="https://arabellahotelsedona.com/"><span style="color: red;">Arabella Hotel</span></a>, checked into my room, had a delicious meal at the nearby&nbsp;<a href="http://www.elotecafe.com/"><span style="color: red;">Elote Cafe</span></a>, and got a good night's sleep. The next morning, I was greeted by this smiling face.&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w1w_2JBO2n8/WYnAOfuZ3nI/AAAAAAAAHjA/WRczwUv_brcwwjXSrw3Xv0eAfDY-7brPgCLcBGAs/s1600/1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w1w_2JBO2n8/WYnAOfuZ3nI/AAAAAAAAHjA/WRczwUv_brcwwjXSrw3Xv0eAfDY-7brPgCLcBGAs/s320/1a.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Tim is one of the dynamic tour guides who works for <a href="http://www.greatventures.com/"><span style="color: red;">Grand Venture Tours</span></a>. He took six other travelers and me on an fast-paced trip to the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas, sharing lots of history and local wisdom as we went. I actually took notes, as there are many things I want to learn more about, and it was way too much to remember.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otrO48gn5KM/WYnAQ1eSgQI/AAAAAAAAHjE/vYc2nQwtST8IvHMbVZ-TF5jZT4cAMZe-wCLcBGAs/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otrO48gn5KM/WYnAQ1eSgQI/AAAAAAAAHjE/vYc2nQwtST8IvHMbVZ-TF5jZT4cAMZe-wCLcBGAs/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset Crater National Monument</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6wPcGBaYlrs/WYnATiSREiI/AAAAAAAAHjM/TzrNM2iGzuE5PjUue0FOjKYPR9e1AyGfQCLcBGAs/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6wPcGBaYlrs/WYnATiSREiI/AAAAAAAAHjM/TzrNM2iGzuE5PjUue0FOjKYPR9e1AyGfQCLcBGAs/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wapataki National Monument</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7dt2Jlrju8/WYnATFqGg1I/AAAAAAAAHjI/efXXImsm1OEUl4hz27lN_D-YGcwJvsIIACLcBGAs/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7dt2Jlrju8/WYnATFqGg1I/AAAAAAAAHjI/efXXImsm1OEUl4hz27lN_D-YGcwJvsIIACLcBGAs/s320/4.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch and shopping at the Cameron Trading Post</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gLH_0GM3ojU/WYnAYcA1xkI/AAAAAAAAHjQ/dPanRjXMun0jkl3my3uf4-_EWuAvAIs7wCLcBGAs/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gLH_0GM3ojU/WYnAYcA1xkI/AAAAAAAAHjQ/dPanRjXMun0jkl3my3uf4-_EWuAvAIs7wCLcBGAs/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grand Canyon. Pictures don't do it justice.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;All too soon, Tim dropped us off at our hotels. I spent one more night at the Arabella and had another delicious dinner, this one at <a href="http://www.thehudsonsedona.com/"><span style="color: red;">The Hudson</span></a>. Then it was time to check out and make way to my final destination, <a href="https://joebongiorno.com/piano-haven"><span style="color: red;">Piano Haven</span></a>,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymYOOOgVrQg/WYnAbNqP94I/AAAAAAAAHjU/GHvAJy9zkWsxhpsJAOsAo6SdDOGLw3tpgCLcBGAs/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymYOOOgVrQg/WYnAbNqP94I/AAAAAAAAHjU/GHvAJy9zkWsxhpsJAOsAo6SdDOGLw3tpgCLcBGAs/s320/7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piano Haven, Sedona, Arizona</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">where I spent the next two days recording and editing all the songs that will go on my soon-to-be-released solo piano album, <i>Seashells in My Pocket</i>.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yzT108LzTRg/WYnAb-i5dKI/AAAAAAAAHjY/Fy_dLO6wpJE4X6FwlHtGdkzkw1X8VO4xwCLcBGAs/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1600" height="249" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yzT108LzTRg/WYnAb-i5dKI/AAAAAAAAHjY/Fy_dLO6wpJE4X6FwlHtGdkzkw1X8VO4xwCLcBGAs/s320/8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shigeru Kawai, the king of pianos</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">It was a delightful experience. The piano was amazing, hands-down my all-time favorite, and Joe was kind, patient and encouraging. I can hardly wait to get that finished CD in my hands.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I arrived back home late Sunday evening, just in time for back-to-school here in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and back to full-time piano teaching for me. But I couldn't have asked more from the summer of 2017. I forged new friendships, checked a few things off my bucket list, and turned some dreams into plans.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The way I see it now, every day is a new adventure.</div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/EXOeR3jaPRA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com0http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2017/08/summers-end.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-67304902334617972062017-08-01T17:42:00.002-04:002017-08-02T01:12:02.314-04:00Summer Adventures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Italy was everything I hoped it would be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I mentioned in my last post, I had the privilege of attending the InterHarmony International Music Festival in Acqui Terme.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQLAGBgOEes/WX_DS28mT7I/AAAAAAAAHhE/JRJn7q3taTofufpGGop8uOrT27H4uCPdQCLcBGAs/s1600/friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQLAGBgOEes/WX_DS28mT7I/AAAAAAAAHhE/JRJn7q3taTofufpGGop8uOrT27H4uCPdQCLcBGAs/s400/friends.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My travel companions Yoonsook, Soojung, Qin, Dr. Thomas, and I.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2T03Lavo98/WX_DDMwTKtI/AAAAAAAAHgM/z9N305GaWx0M9X2YKBh8yJZXsxaK9fJBgCLcBGAs/s1600/acqui%2Bterme%2Bchurch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2T03Lavo98/WX_DDMwTKtI/AAAAAAAAHgM/z9N305GaWx0M9X2YKBh8yJZXsxaK9fJBgCLcBGAs/s400/acqui%2Bterme%2Bchurch.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The path to our hotel. Acqui Terme, Italy.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AIpYb3cgKvY/WX_DATZvUlI/AAAAAAAAHgI/hhdxPvMXCygk9456FSdE1U0qEt_q-k7eACLcBGAs/s1600/acqueducts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AIpYb3cgKvY/WX_DATZvUlI/AAAAAAAAHgI/hhdxPvMXCygk9456FSdE1U0qEt_q-k7eACLcBGAs/s400/acqueducts.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leftover from Roman times. Acqui Terme, Italy.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pt0YLFiMnrM/WX_DDdR6m9I/AAAAAAAAHgQ/bS0lhIMo8MIcJdO1DzZ8FGVjVk3a3lR9wCLcBGAs/s1600/acqui%2Bterme%2Bfountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pt0YLFiMnrM/WX_DDdR6m9I/AAAAAAAAHgQ/bS0lhIMo8MIcJdO1DzZ8FGVjVk3a3lR9wCLcBGAs/s400/acqui%2Bterme%2Bfountain.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thermal Baths. Acqui Terme, Italy.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I walked six to eight miles every single day</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MObfsNtbWKk/WX_DiIZfSMI/AAAAAAAAHhs/yJap5oJ4PaEAMcL03SI0yyA4QZt0JzrswCLcBGAs/s1600/walking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MObfsNtbWKk/WX_DiIZfSMI/AAAAAAAAHhs/yJap5oJ4PaEAMcL03SI0yyA4QZt0JzrswCLcBGAs/s400/walking.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These feet were made for walking.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">and I ate and drank whatever I wanted.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wj-P3Mr3puw/WX_DINV8ixI/AAAAAAAAHgg/-ScVIEVsch0yeHaojZaTKGg7JaQdX5nNQCLcBGAs/s1600/capuccino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wj-P3Mr3puw/WX_DINV8ixI/AAAAAAAAHgg/-ScVIEVsch0yeHaojZaTKGg7JaQdX5nNQCLcBGAs/s400/capuccino.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cappuccino every morning for breakfast.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0-2ateY2i70/WX_DVv8YQPI/AAAAAAAAHhI/AP6Rul65mzYiO-4lC49u3qTgG4-qwLiZQCLcBGAs/s1600/pasta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0-2ateY2i70/WX_DVv8YQPI/AAAAAAAAHhI/AP6Rul65mzYiO-4lC49u3qTgG4-qwLiZQCLcBGAs/s400/pasta.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical meal at our hotel. Served buffet style.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gY59rXBNFI4/WX_DESUGb-I/AAAAAAAAHgU/y45IjfxsUb8Da0xYNN9DvpAtpUAGdoX5wCLcBGAs/s1600/aperol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gY59rXBNFI4/WX_DESUGb-I/AAAAAAAAHgU/y45IjfxsUb8Da0xYNN9DvpAtpUAGdoX5wCLcBGAs/s400/aperol.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new favorite drink, Aperol Spritz.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3eJUszq_T8/WX_DR2fBrwI/AAAAAAAAHhA/kI_gdbt5QR0HaPuJ1kYk9p9-llOcIhwwwCLcBGAs/s1600/gelato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3eJUszq_T8/WX_DR2fBrwI/AAAAAAAAHhA/kI_gdbt5QR0HaPuJ1kYk9p9-llOcIhwwwCLcBGAs/s400/gelato.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gelato was a refreshing reprieve from the relentless heat.<br />There was no air conditioning anywhere in Acqui Terme.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inspired by both caring faculty and fellow students, I made music every single day.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ju0qlrTGSM/WX_DaKApLMI/AAAAAAAAHhU/M9xJoow5wXobUy7BMJeqbJUPTw0j40g6gCLcBGAs/s1600/practice%2Broom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ju0qlrTGSM/WX_DaKApLMI/AAAAAAAAHhU/M9xJoow5wXobUy7BMJeqbJUPTw0j40g6gCLcBGAs/s400/practice%2Broom.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My practice room.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DW7q86MZV_k/WX_DJoWWAyI/AAAAAAAAHgo/K6jxyAgn-w86MPYIVzx-r1bk-flSi-rTgCLcBGAs/s1600/chamber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DW7q86MZV_k/WX_DJoWWAyI/AAAAAAAAHgo/K6jxyAgn-w86MPYIVzx-r1bk-flSi-rTgCLcBGAs/s400/chamber.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dana, Sandra and me performing our chamber piece, Ibert's "Deux Interludes." So much fun!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">During the course of the festival, we enjoyed two days of sightseeing in Milan and Turin;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8J4wmn60Wb4/WX_C-yVTEQI/AAAAAAAAHf8/gDT4JXo5_Z4OZsm6JY96bVkH2KPgANQHgCLcBGAs/s1600/Milan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8J4wmn60Wb4/WX_C-yVTEQI/AAAAAAAAHf8/gDT4JXo5_Z4OZsm6JY96bVkH2KPgANQHgCLcBGAs/s400/Milan.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duomo di Milano.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YI9hOxAmnRg/WX_C8QIDMxI/AAAAAAAAHf0/oLE6jS38JJoLl99rvjXK5OSX_asGh_p8QCLcBGAs/s1600/Opera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YI9hOxAmnRg/WX_C8QIDMxI/AAAAAAAAHf0/oLE6jS38JJoLl99rvjXK5OSX_asGh_p8QCLcBGAs/s400/Opera.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Scala Opera House, Milano.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Lta5mnnTrU/WX_DQYKrvFI/AAAAAAAAHg8/C9E_uYkEyMEcvZMsnYQ7qnqWHWussKIjACLcBGAs/s1600/egyptian%2Bmuseum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Lta5mnnTrU/WX_DQYKrvFI/AAAAAAAAHg8/C9E_uYkEyMEcvZMsnYQ7qnqWHWussKIjACLcBGAs/s400/egyptian%2Bmuseum.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egyptian Museum, Torino.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lBCEObebDWE/WX_DeM90NLI/AAAAAAAAHhc/7I6V6m1gzecmBkgHH6lOphi2Un6zJWs6wCLcBGAs/s1600/turin%2Bview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lBCEObebDWE/WX_DeM90NLI/AAAAAAAAHhc/7I6V6m1gzecmBkgHH6lOphi2Un6zJWs6wCLcBGAs/s400/turin%2Bview.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from atop the National Museum of Cinema in Turin.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">then, at the conclusion of the festival, we spent two days sightseeing in Rome,&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">making wishes and tossing coins into Trevi Fountain,</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hA2RVv0XJvQ/WX_Da5RCMDI/AAAAAAAAHhY/s3sijwdlkgw-mIZagMWc4InmM7RbRjfWACLcBGAs/s1600/trevi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hA2RVv0XJvQ/WX_Da5RCMDI/AAAAAAAAHhY/s3sijwdlkgw-mIZagMWc4InmM7RbRjfWACLcBGAs/s400/trevi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trevi Fountain, Rome</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">touring famous places I had always dreamed of seeing,</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8sFA_e2xBYw/WX_DOBJ5-MI/AAAAAAAAHg4/xgCytHxL-FgRE29xtVzvIYKLa3_wM74OgCLcBGAs/s1600/colisseum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8sFA_e2xBYw/WX_DOBJ5-MI/AAAAAAAAHg4/xgCytHxL-FgRE29xtVzvIYKLa3_wM74OgCLcBGAs/s400/colisseum.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coliseum, Rome.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcILUGEX7-8/WX_C-K4OgTI/AAAAAAAAHf4/LGJziGzLPTs2DsrjpbZSuJMetpvBNK1fgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Borghese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcILUGEX7-8/WX_C-K4OgTI/AAAAAAAAHf4/LGJziGzLPTs2DsrjpbZSuJMetpvBNK1fgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/Borghese.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borghese Gallery, Rome.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrL2rIcpJmI/WX_De58-juI/AAAAAAAAHhk/PIgSQTYr_YMaAte13Yj3oMy61_Uto9fBACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/vatican.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrL2rIcpJmI/WX_De58-juI/AAAAAAAAHhk/PIgSQTYr_YMaAte13Yj3oMy61_Uto9fBACPcBGAYYCw/s320/vatican.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vatican Museum, Rome.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t2knX8Lj1eM/WX_C_ZGQZkI/AAAAAAAAHgA/XUS0ZbZfwfQezMipEObtLVzXwcwBNXFLwCLcBGAs/s1600/St.%2BPeter%2527s%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t2knX8Lj1eM/WX_C_ZGQZkI/AAAAAAAAHgA/XUS0ZbZfwfQezMipEObtLVzXwcwBNXFLwCLcBGAs/s400/St.%2BPeter%2527s%2Bcopy.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Peter's Basilica, Rome (we saw the Sistine Chapel, too, but no photos are allowed in there!)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and eating and drinking some more.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wH1B__BefAQ/WX_DX7E89OI/AAAAAAAAHhQ/p0_V8054o8oLTEJ1wCJHOnAgNJHWR4zdACLcBGAs/s1600/pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wH1B__BefAQ/WX_DX7E89OI/AAAAAAAAHhQ/p0_V8054o8oLTEJ1wCJHOnAgNJHWR4zdACLcBGAs/s400/pizza.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best pizza ever at Da Baffetto. Yes, that's an egg in the middle!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7KX8ifFpjQ/WX_DiBc5AUI/AAAAAAAAHho/0xLM7qQtzWg1cw6PX3XFFEIy54d4i4O9wCLcBGAs/s1600/wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7KX8ifFpjQ/WX_DiBc5AUI/AAAAAAAAHho/0xLM7qQtzWg1cw6PX3XFFEIy54d4i4O9wCLcBGAs/s400/wine.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red wine goes with everything.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I learned a lot and made many wonderful memories.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now I'm making music back home. I've played in two formal concerts</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xNaSjQHJ2E/WX_DOQhGKxI/AAAAAAAAHg0/pHe5qUCVUbsLVfnUADVFmju8N-Zw1yI_QCLcBGAs/s1600/fibich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xNaSjQHJ2E/WX_DOQhGKxI/AAAAAAAAHg0/pHe5qUCVUbsLVfnUADVFmju8N-Zw1yI_QCLcBGAs/s400/fibich.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I played "Forest Solitude" by Zdenek Fibich. Steinway Galleries, Alpharetta, GA, July 23, 2017.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HzbGBE4YB0Q/WX_DNPL8D6I/AAAAAAAAHgs/_DvZsVUneJ4kTeh5skwYoTF13C4k0y7SwCLcBGAs/s1600/composer%2Brecital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HzbGBE4YB0Q/WX_DNPL8D6I/AAAAAAAAHgs/_DvZsVUneJ4kTeh5skwYoTF13C4k0y7SwCLcBGAs/s400/composer%2Brecital.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I played two of my original compositions. University of North Georgia, Gainesville, July 30, 2017.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and enjoyed an evening with friends playing the fifteen solo piano pieces I composed this spring and sharing the stories behind them.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Mus_LXb4Vc/WX_DNeqifhI/AAAAAAAAHgw/5vxw21SYaPMZN06B0AKIRn54sM2bqd7pgCLcBGAs/s1600/dave%2Band%2Bjulia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Mus_LXb4Vc/WX_DNeqifhI/AAAAAAAAHgw/5vxw21SYaPMZN06B0AKIRn54sM2bqd7pgCLcBGAs/s400/dave%2Band%2Bjulia.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave &amp; Julia, dear friends and gracious hosts.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tomorrow I'm headed to Sedona, Arizona where I will spend two days with Joe Bongiorno at <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://joebongiorno.com/piano-haven"><span style="color: red;">Piano Haven</span></a> </span>recording my music. And that's just the beginning. But if all goes well, my first solo piano CD will be ready to release on October 13th. I have already booked the recital hall for the next day for a celebration concert.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-404VNnay3Ec/WX_DFztugdI/AAAAAAAAHgY/d-WLFZ3wKXU413tmvhMYMN7T--H84PWWgCLcBGAs/s400/cd%2Brelease.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pamasberrymusic/"><span style="color: red;">https://www.facebook.com/pamasberrymusic/</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-404VNnay3Ec/WX_DFztugdI/AAAAAAAAHgY/d-WLFZ3wKXU413tmvhMYMN7T--H84PWWgCLcBGAs/s1600/cd%2Brelease.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will return home late Sunday evening; on Monday, school starts and I will resume full-time teaching.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But for once, I'm not asking myself, "Where did the summer go?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know EXACTLY where it went.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">😀</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/YzroBI5RACE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com0http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2017/08/summer-adventures.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-47381315056065678212017-07-05T01:00:00.000-04:002017-07-05T01:00:14.719-04:00Italy BoundBy the time you see this post, I will be in Italy.<br /><br />That's right. ITALY! The one in EUROPE!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGzuRS_8HGs/WVsMnKD7EUI/AAAAAAAAHfI/vSCxceMMO-se5VESDFgt_34IELTFEv6CQCLcBGAs/s1600/acquiterme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="553" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGzuRS_8HGs/WVsMnKD7EUI/AAAAAAAAHfI/vSCxceMMO-se5VESDFgt_34IELTFEv6CQCLcBGAs/s320/acquiterme.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />As I write these words, I am in the final stages of preparation for the InterHarmony International Music Festival in Acqui Terme, Italy. Click <a href="https://www.interharmony.com/italy/index.html"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a> for details.<br /><br />For the next couple of weeks, I will be completely immersed in music - practice, lessons, chamber music coaching, concerts - and enjoying a bit of sightseeing, in Milan and Turin. Then, at the conclusion of the festival, a colleague and I will take a high speed train to Rome and see the sights there.<br /><br />During my practice time and private lessons, I will focus on my festival chamber music assignment, solos/duets/duos that I plan to perform in future concerts, and getting my solo piano pieces ready to record the first weekend in August. Which reminds me: I have come up with a new title for my CD. <i>Ocean Views</i> wasn't bad. But <i>Seashells in My Pocket</i> is PERFECT! I am so excited about the way this project is shaping up.<br /><br />There are moments when I can hardly believe all this is actually happening.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">* * *&nbsp;</div><br />A couple of thoughts:<br /><br />(1) <i>Continue to learn. What you know will never be enough.</i><br />~ Sonya Teclai<br /><br />Last week, when I shared my plans with a very young student, she crossed her arms and said, "Wait a minute! I thought you were a piano TEACHER, not a piano STUDENT." I explained to her that I am BOTH, as no one can ever know everything there is to know.<br /><br />(2) <i>Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.</i><br />~ Michael Jordan<br /><br />Last year (and the year before that, and the year before THAT), when my festival teacher invited me to be a part of the summer event, I politely declined, saying there was NO WAY I could ever afford to do such a thing. Well, last August I fired my housekeeping service, put the money I had been spending into savings, and over the academic year it covered my festival tuition in full. All I had to purchase on top of that was an airline ticket (and order some euros to cover incidental expenses). Mission accomplished!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I look forward to sharing my experiences and impressions after I get back. In the meantime, I encourage you to challenge yourself to learn new things and dream your biggest dream. You have absolutely nothing to lose and so many joyous, amazing things to gain!</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/HAc3iSS0P6A" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com1http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2017/07/italy-bound.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-82992438173790485262017-06-25T15:00:00.001-04:002017-06-25T15:00:09.334-04:00Transcriptions FINISHED!<div style="text-align: center;">My last two solo piano pieces are finished, transcribed, and added to the collection!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Here is a screen shot of the working titles in what might be album order.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E29mZ_oMuos/WU_9Je_xoTI/AAAAAAAAHes/3whPlkTdL0k56MFLUMMRUTUypILmkV6owCLcBGAs/s1600/TitlePage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E29mZ_oMuos/WU_9Je_xoTI/AAAAAAAAHes/3whPlkTdL0k56MFLUMMRUTUypILmkV6owCLcBGAs/s320/TitlePage.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's fifteen songs and fifty-seven pages of sheet music! *</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course, the music needs a lot of editing. Playing through a couple of the pieces this afternoon, I found several errors; I suspect there are many more.&nbsp;And, as I mentioned in my blog post last week, I need to go back and add in musical details: tempo markings, dynamics, articulations, etc. But what I have right now is enough to get me started with the hard work of polishing everything up and getting all the pieces ready to record.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are a few things I have found to be true during my time as a composer:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Composing is alternately challenging, satisfying, frustrating, and exhilarating.</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Hours go by like minutes when I am working on a new solo piano piece.</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Transcribing the music from my scribbles on staff paper is time consuming and tedious.</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Like everything, transcription gets easier with experience.</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. I am already looking forward to writing music for my next album.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But first things first!&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For now, I must set my pencil aside. In addition to a couple of handfuls of private students, I will be teaching all next week at a music camp. Then I will have just a few days to pack and make ready for my European adventure - details in my next post! After returning home, I will have just a couple of weeks - filled with teaching, performing, and preparing for the 2017-2018 academic - before I fly out to Sedona, Arizona to record my album on August 4th and 5th.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I will come home on Sunday, August 6th; school, and full-time teaching, will resume here the very next day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Summer vacation? What summer vacation?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It doesn't matter. For me, the gap between work and play grows narrower and narrower.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am having the time of my life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*FOR MUSIC NERDS ONLY</div><div style="text-align: center;">The key signatures and time signatures of my pieces are as follows:</div><div style="text-align: center;">A minor - 4 pieces</div><div style="text-align: center;">E minor - 1 piece</div><div style="text-align: center;">G major - 2 pieces</div><div style="text-align: center;">D major - 2 pieces</div><div style="text-align: center;">B major - 1 piece</div><div style="text-align: center;">F major - 2 pieces</div><div style="text-align: center;">E-flat major - 1 piece</div><div style="text-align: center;">G-flat major - 2 pieces</div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">4/4 time - 8 pieces</div><div style="text-align: center;">3/4 time - 4 pieces</div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;6/8 time - 3 pieces</div><div style="text-align: center;">And now you know!</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/b5Z6ekDciLI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com1http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2017/06/transcriptions-finished.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-70334795841850464092017-06-18T14:23:00.002-04:002017-06-18T14:23:36.612-04:00Progress Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy_5DVFcHvo/WUa8XHNtkAI/AAAAAAAAHeE/nXpwIkljVXcAmk8-DhGu1OJj-HtBf8N0wCLcBGAs/s1600/Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy_5DVFcHvo/WUa8XHNtkAI/AAAAAAAAHeE/nXpwIkljVXcAmk8-DhGu1OJj-HtBf8N0wCLcBGAs/s320/Cover.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />The past three weeks have been a frenzied blur of piano teaching, ensemble rehearsals, and student piano recitals - THREE of them. The last one took place on June 10th; the following Monday and Tuesday, I taught my last day of regular lessons and an exhausting day of make-up lessons. By the time all that was over, I was ready for a long winter's nap. Except it isn't winter, and my to-do list is about ninety miles long.<br /><br />Although I have always had low blood pressure, about six months ago it started creeping up. Stress seems to be the culprit behind that and, since stress is my constant companion, my then-primary care physician put me on blood pressure medication. A couple of weeks ago, concerned with the numbers still being a bit higher than they should be, a new doctor switched me to a different prescription. For whatever reason - additional stress? the change in medication? - by Tuesday evening, my blood pressure topped out at 186/112, and I made a return visit to the physician's office Wednesday morning. She tweaked my prescription and sent me home under orders to get some rest.<br /><br />I didn't do much that afternoon, alternately sleeping and reading and knitting and, thankfully, the numbers started coming down on Thursday. The past three days I have had nothing but normal and high-normal readings and I am feeling much better. This is a very good thing. Because I have a CD to finish!<br /><br />Since I last posted, I have finished five more solo piano compositions, for a total of thirteen, and have transcribed them all into MuseScore (music notation software). Three more pieces are "well begun," although I think the last one will go on my next album. 15 pieces seems like a good number for a CD, I think.<br /><br />I printed out all the scores (48 pages of music so far!), hole punched them and put them in a binder, and used my rudimentary graphics skills to design a cover (of sorts - see the photo above) to slip into the clear sleeve on the front of the binder. It ALMOST looks like a real songbook! For now, I am content to have all the notes down on paper; I will go back and add details, tempo markings and dynamics and slurs and such later. My intention is to finish the last two pieces and get them transcribed and added to the collection this week. That will give me just a little more than a month to polish up all the pieces and get them ready for my recording session the first weekend of August.<br /><br />And that's just the beginning. There is a LOT of work that goes into the production of a CD, still more that goes into sales and promotion, but worrying about all that remains to be done creates nothing but stress and stress wreaks havoc on my blood pressure. So instead I am trying to remain focused simply on what needs to be done NEXT. So far, so good!<br /><br />Summer lessons start tomorrow but with only twelve students on my summer schedule (compared with sixty during the regular school year) I should be able to find time to make steady progress with my solo piano music - AND make preparations for a long-anticipated trip to Europe in July. But more about that later! Right now I'm headed downstairs to finish another solo piano piece!<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/2G61f7LAX1A" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com2http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2017/06/progress-report.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-25660914625633884702017-05-27T12:12:00.000-04:002017-08-09T22:27:15.861-04:00Briskly Venturing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hymTlc_lIb0/WSmlL3Bp5fI/AAAAAAAAHds/_l8OvwKhqRQJj7WagVj-gocKx_xYgJ5AQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1600" height="201" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hymTlc_lIb0/WSmlL3Bp5fI/AAAAAAAAHds/_l8OvwKhqRQJj7WagVj-gocKx_xYgJ5AQCLcB/s320/IMG_3234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><br /></i><i>Keep not standing fixed and rooted. Briskly venture, briskly roam.</i><br />~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe<br /><div><br /></div><div>I chose "venture" as my word for 2017 although I had no idea at the time what it might come to mean. Sure, I love to travel and hoped to add an "adventure" or two to my list. But on January 1st, 2017 was a completely blank slate.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not any more.</div><div><br /></div><div>One day in early March, I was out walking in my neighborhood, soaking up the sights of spring flowers, the sounds of bird calls, and the sweet, fresh scents that are a part of springtime in my little corner of the world. Happy to my core, I began to hum, rather tunelessly at first - but then the tune became a real melody, one that I found myself repeating, over and over. "I actually like this," I thought (with surprise); I longed to take it to the piano. But I keep a busy schedule; I had allowed myself a margin of less than thirty minutes between the end of my walk and the beginning of my teaching day, barely enough time to take a shower and get dressed. I knew there wouldn't be time to jot down the notes, and knew just as well that there was no way they would still be in my head by the time my last student left for home. So I pulled out my phone, found the voice memo app, sang the short melody into it, and went about the rest of my day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Later in the week, as I sat at the piano practicing music for an upcoming concert, I remembered my little melody. I played it back to myself, matched the sounds on the keyboard and came up with a pleasing chordal accompaniment. Crunched for time as always, I made a recording of these few measures, then went back to practicing.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, on March 15th, I dedicated a morning to finishing my composition. It took me just a couple of hours to come up with a contrasting middle section and a pleasing conclusion. I scribbled the music onto manuscript paper and made a recording of the entire piece. I decided to call it "Monterey Morning," as it reminded me of a pleasant day I spent in the coastal city of Monterey, California several years ago.</div><div><br /></div><div>And just like that, a composer was born. A mere ten weeks later, I have finished eight more solo piano compositions, all inspired by memories from vacations, and have three more in various stages of completion. I have purchased music notation software and am learning how to transcribe my own work. And I have booked a recording session in Sedona, Arizona the first weekend of August with one of the best engineers the business. I have formed an LLC and chosen a name for my record label as well as my first album. If all goes according to plan, my first CD will be ready to release before the end of the year.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's almost surreal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because I have always put such strict limits on myself, defined myself so narrowly. Over the years, I have been asked many times why I don't compose or record. "I don't have an original bone in my body," I have answered, believing it. When called upon to improvise, I have resisted. "Just give me the score and let me read it," I have said, preferring the safety of playing someone else's music to the risk of failure creating my own. Although I have been an enthusiastic supporter of many solo piano composing and performing friends, I never thought I would BE one.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe if you hang around with creative people long enough, it starts to rub off.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course there is a part of me that is worried about what others will think about my music, that I'm not "good enough" to record an album or play in a concert or publish my work. There is no doubt I will have critics. But I'm not going to let that stop me. Maybe, just maybe, I will have fans, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>And the teacher in me is hoping this will inspire some of my students. I intend to publish simplified versions of each of my compositions in addition to the music as it will appear in my recordings. Maybe some of my students will want to play my pieces. Even better, maybe some of them will decide to create music of their own. As a result of my experience, I will be in a better position to facilitate that. I find that thought very exciting.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the time when many of my peers are looking forward to retirement, I am embarking on an entirely new facet of my career. By letting go of who I thought I was, I'm becoming more the person I am capable of being.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a grand venture, to be sure.</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/M35gXotTOUw" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com8http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2017/05/briskly-venturing.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-3252687493216589062017-01-18T00:30:00.000-05:002017-01-18T22:50:33.115-05:00TRADD STREET MYSTERIES by Karen White<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HY17Y2xSPY/WHzh1bhz8qI/AAAAAAAAHZc/aYJezbr0O7YszVXm89cCFnPFTLV19t8VwCLcB/s1600/guests-tour-banner_girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HY17Y2xSPY/WHzh1bhz8qI/AAAAAAAAHZc/aYJezbr0O7YszVXm89cCFnPFTLV19t8VwCLcB/s400/guests-tour-banner_girl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today I will be reviewing three volumes from Karen White's best selling <i>Tradd Street Mysteries </i>series. Read all the way to the end and find out how you can win the entire five-book series!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">* * * * * * *&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dk7mdOFO008/WHzh5IJ1gTI/AAAAAAAAHZg/d_pQc44EPosq_PncxUDTIfZm50Qc2cR1gCLcB/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dk7mdOFO008/WHzh5IJ1gTI/AAAAAAAAHZg/d_pQc44EPosq_PncxUDTIfZm50Qc2cR1gCLcB/s320/blog1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.karen-white.com/">Karen White</a> is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty novels, including <i>Flight Patterns, The Sound of Glass, A Long Time Gone,</i> and <i>The Time Between,</i> and the coauthor of <i>The Forgotten Room</i> with New York Times bestselling authors Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbQLc_2BIiI/WHzh5M8A7DI/AAAAAAAAHZk/6AdiQrScRsQSWync06m0_FgoMaIKWKAEwCLcB/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbQLc_2BIiI/WHzh5M8A7DI/AAAAAAAAHZk/6AdiQrScRsQSWync06m0_FgoMaIKWKAEwCLcB/s320/blog2.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />I have read many of Karen's women's fiction novels, but her latest release, <i>The Guests on South Battery,</i> is the fifth installment of the <i>Tradd Street Mysteries</i>.<br /><br />From the publisher:<br /><i><b>The Guests on South Battery </b>picks up on the picturesque streets of Charleston after Melanie has given birth to twins, and is married to the love of her life, Jack Trenholm. Melanie’s maternity leave has reached its end and she is less than thrilled to return to work, especially when she's awoken by a phone call with no voice on the other end, and the uneasy feeling that the ghostly apparitions that have stayed silent for over a year are about to invade her life once more.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>With her extended maternity leave at its end, Melanie Trenholm is less than thrilled to leave her new husband and beautiful twins to return to work, especially when she’s awoken by a phone call with no voice on the other end—and the uneasy feeling that the ghostly apparitions that have stayed silent for more than a year are about to invade her life once more.&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><i>But her return to the realty office goes better than she could have hoped, with a new client eager to sell the home she recently inherited on South Battery. Most would treasure living in one of the grandest old homes in the famous historic district of Charleston, but Jayne Smith would rather sell hers as soon as possible, guaranteeing Melanie a quick commission.&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><i>Despite her stroke of luck, Melanie can’t deny that spirits—both malevolent and benign—have started to show themselves to her again. One is shrouded from sight, but appears whenever Jayne is near. Another arrives when an old cistern is discovered in Melanie’s backyard on Tradd Street.&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><i>Melanie knows nothing good can come from unearthing the past. But some secrets refuse to stay buried....</i><br /><i><br /></i>I don't typically read a lot of mysteries, much less paranormal mysteries, but I loved this book! Great setting, great characters, and a great story - this book has it all! I will admit that I wish I had read the books in order. As I made my way through <i>The Guests on South Battery</i>, there were several occasions in which I had to "fill in the blanks" because I was not aware of the past event being referred to in a specific situation. And as there is a cliffhanger or two at the end of the story, I decided I had best prepare myself for future installments.<br /><br />So now I have I reread the first two books of the series, <i>The House on Tradd Street</i> and <i>The Girl on Legare Street. The House on Tradd Street </i>provides the set-up for the entire series. We meet Charleston realtor Melanie and best-selling writer Jack and discover how their relationship began and how Melanie became the owner of the decrepit mansion on Tradd Street. We also meet her best friend, Sophia, an expert in historic home preservation, as well as her father. Both she and her father were abandoned by her mother thirty-five years prior. While Melanie does't remember her mother well, one thing the two of them have in common is their ability to see dead people.<br /><br />But in the second book, <i>The Girl on Legare Street, </i>Melanie's mother, Ginnette Prioleau Middleton, returns to Charleston wanting to protect her daughter after receiving an ominous premonition.<br />While Melanie never wanted to see her mother again, Jack convinces her otherwise and the two women take tentative steps towards rebuilding their relationship. Together, Melanie and Ginnette buy back their old home on Legare Street. With their combined psychic abilities of course they aren't surprised to unearth some ghosts. But what they find is a vengeful dark spirit whose strength has been growing for decades. Many long-buried secrets must be unearthed to beat this demon and save what's left of Melanie's family.<br /><br />Next on my list is Book 3, <i>The Strangers on Montagu Street</i>, and Book 4, <i>Return to Tradd Street</i>. Then I might read <i>The Guests on South Battery</i> one more time, just to be certain I didn't miss anything. After that, I guess I'll just have to sit tight and wait patiently for Book 6.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">* * * * * * *&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And now, about that giveaway! To enter, all you have to do is follow my blog and leave a comment at the end of this post. For additional entries, you can follow me on Twitter (click <a href="https://twitter.com/PamAsberry">HERE</a>), "like" my Facebook fan page (click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pamasberryfanpage/">HERE</a>), friend me on Goodreads (click <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4974087-pam-asberry">HERE</a>), or follow me on Instagram (click <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pamasberry/">HERE</a>). Leave an additional comment for each additional entry. At midnight on Friday, one lucky winner will be chosen by a random number generator to receive the ENTIRE <i>Tradd Street Mysteries</i> series! Be sure to leave your email address with your comment so that I will know how to contact you should your name be selected. Good luck!</div><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">NOTE: I received a copy of this book for FREE in exchange for a written review. There was no expectation that this review be either positive or negative, and I was not given any financial compensation to read the book or write the review. This information is disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</span><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/yhXCTgZoZLs" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com0http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2017/01/tradd-street-mysteries-by-karen-white.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-73308919355507040042017-01-11T00:30:00.000-05:002017-01-11T00:30:13.999-05:00TRAVELING LIGHT by Lynne Branard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ePTWDgBsT-E/WHKWAyiwfuI/AAAAAAAAHZI/acXEtFEBObYcK304wGHdSkTlenSXOev2QCLcB/s1600/traveling%2Blight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ePTWDgBsT-E/WHKWAyiwfuI/AAAAAAAAHZI/acXEtFEBObYcK304wGHdSkTlenSXOev2QCLcB/s320/traveling%2Blight.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />From the publisher:<br /><br /><i>This novel was inspired by real-life events: when the author was working at a hospice agency, an unclaimed box of ashes—with her agency’s business card attached—was discovered in a storage facility. Branard became intrigued by how the remains of someone could get lost—and how the discovery could be the perfect catalyst for a life change.</i><br /><br /><i>In <b>TRAVELING LIGHT</b>, Alissa Wells is the one who becomes the surprise new owner of remains—Roger Hart’s, to be exact—after she bids on an abandoned storage unit. She decides that returning the ashes of a dead man might be the first step on her way to a new life. So she packs up her three-legged dog and starts driving from North Carolina to New Mexico.&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><i>But when a waitress named Blossom hitches a ride with her, Al has to get used to letting someone else take the wheel. Posting about their road trip on Facebook, complete with photos of Roger at every stop, Blossom opens Al’s eyes to the road in front of her—and how sometimes the best things in life are the ones you never see coming.</i><br /><i><br /></i>I started this book late on a Saturday night. When I couldn't hold my eyes open any longer, I stopped reading just long enough to get a few hours of sleep. As soon as I woke up, I made a pot of coffee, poured myself a cup, and didn't stop reading again until I reached the end.<br /><br />Alissa's mother died when she was just five years old, and she has basically been living by a script ever since: first, as caregiver to her sister and her father, and then as a journalist, helping her dad run their small-town newspaper. But the discovery of the box of ashes prompts her to embark on her greatest adventure, a long and life-changing road trip. I absolutely fell in love with Alissa and all the friends she made on her journey. I lived vicariously through their many adventures; I laughed and I cried. And I was inspired by these words:<br /><br /><i>I realize that most people die exactly the same way they live. Angry people die angry. Broken people die broken. Lonely people die lonely. Burdened people die burdened...Don't forget, live how you want to die.</i><br /><i><br /></i>Now I can't stop pondering the meaning of "traveling light." And I am encouraged not only to begin letting go of some of the things in my own life that tend to weigh me down, but also to choose my traveling companions very wisely.<br /><i><br /></i>According to her website, the work of Lynne Branard (who also writes as Lynne Hinton and Jackie Lynn) has been compared to that of great writers like Eudora Welty, Rebecca Wells, and Jan Karon. And the journal <i>Publishers Weekly</i>&nbsp;says, "Hinton has a knack in her novels for tapping into a woman’s longings for lifelong, authentic, messy friendships." This is certainly true of <i>Traveling Light</i>. Five enthusiastic stars! Very highly recommended!<br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: xx-small;">NOTE: I received a copy of this book for FREE in exchange for a written review. There was no expectation that this review be either positive or negative, and I was not given any financial compensation to read the book or write the review. This information is disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.&nbsp;</span><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/9rFyJovwAog" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com0http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2017/01/traveling-light-by-lynne-branard.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-29440948468949029222017-01-04T00:00:00.000-05:002017-01-04T11:11:17.727-05:00A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING by Deanna Raybourn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3APVFKmY-0M/WGuvpUmp6rI/AAAAAAAAHYs/wpvGk7dJFqocLpY88I2uTreJvjT4cvVKACLcB/s1600/a-perilous-undertaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3APVFKmY-0M/WGuvpUmp6rI/AAAAAAAAHYs/wpvGk7dJFqocLpY88I2uTreJvjT4cvVKACLcB/s320/a-perilous-undertaking.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">FROM THE PUBLISHER:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 11pt;">Though a lepidopterist by trade, Veronica Speedwell has been up to much more than chasing after rare specimens of butterflies. Continuing on after the exhilarating adventures of</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 11pt;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b>A Curious Beginning</b>,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 11pt;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 11pt;">it’s difficult to imagine how the spunky and spirited Victorian-era sleuth</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 11pt;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 11pt;">could find herself caught up in even more thrilling and dangerous exploits. But young Miss Speedwell is not one to disappoint.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><div class="m_9095943560462963267MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="m_9095943560462963267MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><i>After weeks of chasing down clues leading to her mysterious past, being on the run for her life, and having quite literally run off to join a traveling circus, cooling her heels in a relatively calm London already has Veronica itching for her next invigorating jaunt. Happily, just such an opportunity soon arrives at her doorstep in the form of an invitation to the Curiosity Club, a ladies-only establishment dedicated to celebrating society’s most intrepid and brilliant women.<u></u><u></u></i></span></div><div class="m_9095943560462963267MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="m_9095943560462963267MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><i>Shortly after arriving at the club, Veronica is introduced to Lady Sundridge who implores her to&nbsp;<span class="il">undertake</span>&nbsp;a seemingly impossible task. Miles Ramsforth, one of society’s well-known patrons of the arts, has been convicted of a brutal murder that Lady Sundridge is certain he did not commit. With little time left to discover the true killer’s identity, Veronica is faced with a race against time before Miles is set to hang for the crime. However, Lady Sundridge is not exactly what she seems either—a revelation that only serves as the first of many that Veronica must make in order to solve the case.<u></u><u></u></i></span></div><div class="m_9095943560462963267MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="m_9095943560462963267MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><i>Once again Veronica joins forces with her natural historian colleague, Stoker—her frequently uncouth, though ruggedly handsome companion—as they set off to unravel this dark mystery that becomes increasingly intricate with each clue they unearth.</i></span></div><div class="m_9095943560462963267MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="m_9095943560462963267MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Although I don't read a lot of mysteries, I thoroughly enjoyed this one! Speedwell, lepidopterist, is smart, accomplished, and sassy; Stoker, taxidermist, is intelligent, handsome and roguish. Both naturally inquisitive and completely fearless, they use the same methods employed in their scientific research to solve human mysteries. Together, they are a dynamic and unstoppable mystery solving team.</span></div><div class="m_9095943560462963267MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="m_9095943560462963267MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">But the relationship between Speedwell and Stoker is the most fascinating aspect of the book. They have a great rapport; their banter is both witty and engaging. Clearly there is a mutual attraction and Raybourn does a great job of building sexual tension between the two characters although the romance is developing very slowly. I have not yet read <i>A Curious Beginning </i>and although I would like to know more about Speedwell and Stoker and how they met,&nbsp;no previous experience is necessary to understand and enjoy this installment. However, I am definitely looking forward reading about their future adventures and deepening relationship in the next volume of the series.</span></div><div class="m_9095943560462963267MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="m_9095943560462963267MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Five enthusiastic stars! Highly recommended!</span></div><div class="m_9095943560462963267MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="m_9095943560462963267MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: xx-small;">NOTE: I received a copy of this book for FREE in exchange for a written review. There was no expectation that this review be either positive or negative, and I was not given any financial compensation to read the book or write the review. This information is disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.&nbsp;</span></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/DiYZ4w3axYo" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com0http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2017/01/a-perilous-undertaking-by-deanna.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-13368101535192690202017-01-02T11:14:00.000-05:002017-12-30T13:57:45.537-05:00Welcome, 2017!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uHRccEO1zP0/WGp4hCMeeMI/AAAAAAAAHYE/MT42DpjTbsEQVkV7JRP_h6yRt4FmelPqACLcB/s1600/newyear1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uHRccEO1zP0/WGp4hCMeeMI/AAAAAAAAHYE/MT42DpjTbsEQVkV7JRP_h6yRt4FmelPqACLcB/s320/newyear1.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Like many folks, I spent much of the day Saturday in reflection. I don't make New Year's resolutions anymore, exactly, but December 31st seems like a good time to reflect on what is working and what isn't working in my daily processes. So I reviewed the goals I set for 2016, kicked myself for the areas in which I fell short and congratulated myself for the areas in which I exceeded. Although I am overall pleased with the turns my life has taken, my music leaves me with little time for much of anything else and the <a href="http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2011/02/jack-of-all-trades.html"><span style="color: red;">three-legged stool</span></a> that is my life (<a href="http://asberryschoolofmusic.com/"><span style="color: red;">Asberry School of Music</span></a>/<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWishingBox"><span style="color: red;">The Wishing Box</span></a>/<a href="http://pamasberry.com/"><span style="color: red;">Pam Asberry</span></a> author) has grown quite wobbly. Yes, teaching and playing the piano are going quite well and jewelry sales are enough to keep me in supplies. But in the past year I blogged infrequently and novel writing came to a virtual standstill. I plan to repair that in 2017. I also set myself some fitness goals for the New Year. While diet and exercise don't pay the bills, I must remain healthy in order to do the work that does. Then I revamped my Amazing Life List, aka Pam's Bucket List, removing items accomplished or no longer relevant and adding a few new ones.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And my word for the year? It's VENTURE. More about that another day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UciDrpf-K18/WGp437rti5I/AAAAAAAAHYM/S5zYweneprgs5fljrnoBw9U4_7Tv2IVcACLcB/s1600/newyear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UciDrpf-K18/WGp437rti5I/AAAAAAAAHYM/S5zYweneprgs5fljrnoBw9U4_7Tv2IVcACLcB/s320/newyear.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Number 37 on my Amazing Life List is "Knit a sky scarf." Although I'm not much more than a beginner - rectangles are my specialty - I enjoy knitting and am always on the lookout for something new to try using my limited skill set. When I came across the <a href="http://www.leafcutterdesigns.com/projects/sky-scarf.html"><span style="color: red;">Sky Scarf</span> </a>on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pamasberry/"><span style="color: red;">Pinterest</span></a>, I decided that would be a great project for 2017. I put the kit on my wish list at Amazon; when Santa didn't bring it, I ordered it for myself.&nbsp;</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZffbUFBFt_A/WGp40PY9GoI/AAAAAAAAHYI/fKxrR5TKXq0U2SVcuuOubPFOiIhuZBeoACLcB/s1600/newyear2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZffbUFBFt_A/WGp40PY9GoI/AAAAAAAAHYI/fKxrR5TKXq0U2SVcuuOubPFOiIhuZBeoACLcB/s320/newyear2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The kit includes five skeins of lace weight wool yarn and a special tag. I added a pair of size 3 knitting needles (the tiniest I have ever worked with) and double rainbow add-on (surely I will see a rainbow or two in the next twelve months!) The premise is simple: every day, you knit a stripe that matches the colors of the sky. At the end of the year, you have a five-foot scarf.&nbsp;There is even a Sky Scarf group on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/pamasberry"><span style="color: red;">Ravelry</span></a>. Literally hundreds of women have knitted/are knitting sky scarves. I am delighted to join their ranks!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Above is a picture of yesterday's sky so I cast on with two shades of gray. I won't be changing colors today as the heavy cloud cover has lingered. But who knows what tomorrow will bring?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-949F8qH-OPE/WGp45M_IdJI/AAAAAAAAHYQ/Zstv6y_FjY8mfWmW91cYQKlV2THGlmtbQCLcB/s1600/newyear3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-949F8qH-OPE/WGp45M_IdJI/AAAAAAAAHYQ/Zstv6y_FjY8mfWmW91cYQKlV2THGlmtbQCLcB/s320/newyear3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How did you wrap up 2016? What are your goals for the New Year?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/vpSRcLU1hHg" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com2http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2017/01/welcome-2017.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-43071499122034573642016-12-26T13:57:00.000-05:002017-01-17T08:35:13.447-05:00Italian Tortellini Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been away from the blog too long. But my fall semester was a busy one, filled with music students and hours of piano practice and a number of performances and hours of research and a presentation. More about all that another time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And before I knew it, November was drawing to a close. I was sick with a nasty cold the week of Thanksgiving, but, as always, I thoroughly enjoyed the plans and preparations, the shopping and baking, the crafting and cooking that accompany the Christmas season. I can hardly believe that another twenty-fifth of December has come and gone, but I have happy memories of time spent with family, lovely gifts that I will enjoy for years to come, and hundreds of pictures to remind me of the details.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">* * *</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but both my mom and dad (from Mt. Carmel, Illinois) and my brother and his wife (from Dunedin, Florida) arrived simultaneously at my house at approximately 6:10PM on Friday, December 23rd. Less than an hour later, we were all seated around my dining room table noshing on steaming bowls of tortellini soup with sides of garlic bread. My sister-in-law asked me to share the recipe, a blending of a couple I found on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pamasberry/"><span style="color: red;">Pinterest</span></a>. I thought you might enjoy it too. Here goes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OhP1EOos_sI/WGFkBj6j5yI/AAAAAAAAHXo/WAYKwtLyVd0NsatuYH6hzpw4z02kbV1igCLcB/s1600/tortellinisoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OhP1EOos_sI/WGFkBj6j5yI/AAAAAAAAHXo/WAYKwtLyVd0NsatuYH6hzpw4z02kbV1igCLcB/s320/tortellinisoup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>ITALIAN TORTELLINI SOUP<br /><br />INGREDIENTS:<br />1 pound ground beef<br />1 medium onion, diced<br />1 heaping tablespoon jarred minced garlic or about 6 garlic cloves, minced<br />3 cans (14 1/2-ounce) chicken broth<br />1 can tomatoes (14 1/2-ounce) undrained<br />2 small fresh carrots ,sliced thinly<br />1 package baby spinach<br />1 1/2 - 2 cups fresh or frozen cheese tortellini<br />3/4 teaspoon dried basil<br />1 teaspoon olive oil<br />Salt and pepper to taste<br />Dash crushed red pepper flakes<br />Grated parmesan cheese<br /><br />INSTRUCTIONS:<br />1. Brown ground beef; set aside.<br />2. Sauté onion and carrot in 1 teaspoon olive oil until onion is translucent and carrot is tender.<br />3. Place the chicken broth, tomatoes, browned ground beef, sautéed onion and carrots, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper and tortellini in a dutch oven; bring to a boil. Boil about 5 minutes. Turn the heat down and add the spinach. Cook 2 to 3 more minutes. Remove from heat; serve in bowls topped with grated parmesan cheese.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/aEJ79zJ-RGY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com0http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2016/12/italian-tortellini-soup.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-67696260264370397452016-10-19T12:54:00.000-04:002016-10-22T20:39:26.457-04:00GOOD TASTE by Jane Green<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8s5nQm_pkw/WAehPu-r-kI/AAAAAAAAHUs/jj1-46q1OEwd9jEnaSI-CUzQqfy_L_mPwCLcB/s1600/goodtaste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8s5nQm_pkw/WAehPu-r-kI/AAAAAAAAHUs/jj1-46q1OEwd9jEnaSI-CUzQqfy_L_mPwCLcB/s320/goodtaste.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br />From the back cover:<br /><i>For New York Times bestselling author Jane Green, food is enjoyable because of the people surrounding it and the pleasures of hosting and nourishing those she cares about, body and soul. In her first cookbook, <b>Good Taste</b>, Jane shares tips on entertaining, ideas for making any gathering a cozy yet classy affair, and some of her favorite dishes, ranging from tempting hors d'oeuvres like Sweet Corn and Chili Soup, to mouthwatering one-pot mains like Slow-Braised Onion Chicken, to sinfully satisfying desserts like Warm Chocolate and Banana Cake.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>This book is Jane's perfect recipe for making a wonderful life complete friends, loving family, and moments filled with good food, good times, and, of course, <b>Good Taste</b>.</i><br /><br />Not only is Jane Green a New York Times bestselling author of eighteen novels, she is also a classically trained chef. So I jumped at the opportunity to read and review her beautiful new cookbook. I was not disappointed. Each recipe is accompanied by a story about its origin and a sumptuous photograph. It is conversational in style and great reading apart from being a great additional to my cookbook library. The day it arrived, I read it from cover to cover and decided to try this recipe first: Ginger and Honey Chicken with Soy.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mEhX0Fw-doA/WAehKVHo_WI/AAAAAAAAHUo/Bhur0aPeVukAIZ9QJLlBDSMuCjW3lHzygCLcB/s1600/chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mEhX0Fw-doA/WAehKVHo_WI/AAAAAAAAHUo/Bhur0aPeVukAIZ9QJLlBDSMuCjW3lHzygCLcB/s320/chicken.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />Admittedly, my chicken looks nothing like the photograph in <i>Good Taste</i>. Those chicken breasts were garnished with sesame seeds and cilantro (not mentioned in the recipe), and there was no evidence of the "large onion, sliced." But our chicken, served up with generous portions of white rice and roasted broccoli, was tender, juicy and delicious; this recipe is definitely going into the monthly rotation. What next? Perhaps the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies...<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">NOTE: I received a copy of this book for FREE in exchange for a written review. There was no expectation that this review be either positive or negative, and I was not given any financial compensation to read the book or write the review. This information is disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</span> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;tahoma&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;freesans&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/V4zxn9pNzWI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com0http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2016/10/good-taste-by-jane-green.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-73401526759125693832016-09-16T15:18:00.002-04:002016-09-16T15:27:29.143-04:00HIS SMALL TOWN PRINCESS by Carol Burnside<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FKSXGyDxUVI/V9xAs9G-ZlI/AAAAAAAAHTI/BmZlLBhumq84ccsQn3VBVnOAcigEfxMUgCLcB/s1600/carolburnside_hissmalltownprincess800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FKSXGyDxUVI/V9xAs9G-ZlI/AAAAAAAAHTI/BmZlLBhumq84ccsQn3VBVnOAcigEfxMUgCLcB/s320/carolburnside_hissmalltownprincess800.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />Synopsis:<br /><br /><i>J.T. Baxter is having a very bad year. As if adjusting to widower status and caring for two sons, weren’t enough, he has a landscaping business to keep afloat with a loan coming due. The last thing he needs is the town princess waltzing into his life with a business proposal he can’t afford to refuse.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Cassandra Bing feels adrift after her father’s death, a nasty broken engagement and enduring a job she loathes. She’s searching for her niche, something that would’ve made her dad proud and will bring her fulfillment. But gardening is a hot, dirty business, and soon she’s wishing she’d made a different sort of proposition to the sexy dad.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>As attraction escalates between J.T. and Cass, tensions grow in a house where secrets fester. Can her presence begin to heal the Baxter household, or will their tender feelings become a casualty of the impending emotional storm?</i><br /><br />If you are a fan of sexy romances against a backdrop of family and community, you will love <i>His Small Town Princess</i>, the third in the <i>Sweetwater Springs</i> series of stand-alone books by author <a href="http://carolburnside.com/"><span style="color: red;">Carol Burnside</span></a>. This is a truly satisfying read, touching on the issues of infidelity, grief, combining families, caring for aging parents, and abusive relationships. Hero and heroine J.T. and Cass, along with all the supporting characters, are sympathetic and believable. Almost instantly swept up in the story, I read the entire book in one setting. Available TODAY on Amazon (click <a href="https://www.amazon.com/His-Small-Town-Princess-Sweetwater-ebook/dp/B01LBR364C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1474053235&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=his+small+town+princess"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>).&nbsp;Five stars! Highly recommended!<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">NOTE: I received a copy of this book for FREE in exchange for a written review. There was no expectation that this review be either positive or negative, and I was not given any financial compensation to read the book or write the review. This information is disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.&nbsp; </span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/KtUisWJuwCI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com2http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2016/09/his-small-town-princess-by-carol.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-34195730124229535202016-09-09T01:17:00.003-04:002016-09-09T10:26:04.225-04:00Cleaning Out My Closet<i>In polite society always dress for the life you desire; fate often follows fashion.&nbsp;</i><br />~ Violet Grey<br /><br />I finally did it. I cleaned out my closet and dresser drawers and purged them of every item I haven't worn in the past year or longer. I was ruthless. Here are my discards.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCEpvjyBBu4/V9I-xeDitgI/AAAAAAAAHSI/NL6mE_n7to8clvqq1dGXRgg-MQYxp3-WgCLcB/s1600/giveaways.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCEpvjyBBu4/V9I-xeDitgI/AAAAAAAAHSI/NL6mE_n7to8clvqq1dGXRgg-MQYxp3-WgCLcB/s320/giveaways.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Six large garbage bags stuffed to the gills.</td></tr></tbody></table>Mostly, these six bags contain garments I haven't been able to wear since circa 2007, when menopause reared its ugly head. Suddenly, I was no longer able to wear all the beautiful size zero and size two garments I had collected. Ever since, I have been hoping against hope to get back into all those teeny tiny dresses, skirts, pants and tops. Finally, I have admitted defeat.<br /><br />So many memories. Hundreds and hundreds of dollars spent. A couple of the lovely dresses I got rid of still had price tags hanging from them. But that was almost ten years ago - ten years! - and it is time to let go. Styles have changed. My body has changed.<br /><br /><i>I</i> have changed.<br /><br />Now I am a woman "of a certain age" and I am ready to dress the part. No more mini skirts, skinny jeans, or low-cut necklines. No more sweaters with pills or sale items that seemed like a good idea at the time.<br /><br />All that said, I still haven't given up on the notion of losing ten or fifteen pounds. Although my weight is considered "normal", at least according to the BMI charts - and my doctors have no problem with it - I know I would look and feel better if I weighed a few pounds less. Meanwhile, I am going to buy myself some nice clothes that fit my body <i>now,</i> including a new winter coat and a beautiful pair of leather boots. Obviously, I need to do some shopping.<br /><br />For the time being, this is what my closet looks like.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mPk9bIjpUjw/V9JBj12gVqI/AAAAAAAAHSY/sYtGhH3JBdcxsH9eDpHT2XlOnmXPilqmgCLcB/s1600/closet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mPk9bIjpUjw/V9JBj12gVqI/AAAAAAAAHSY/sYtGhH3JBdcxsH9eDpHT2XlOnmXPilqmgCLcB/s320/closet1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dresses and shoes all lined up in a row. I have yet to deal with the clutter on the upper shelf.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S42RjQ_6r_g/V9JBj7jM7aI/AAAAAAAAHSU/vz79GLqqBHE3DuK6ttsHrEGQHOeTCyWJQCLcB/s1600/closet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S42RjQ_6r_g/V9JBj7jM7aI/AAAAAAAAHSU/vz79GLqqBHE3DuK6ttsHrEGQHOeTCyWJQCLcB/s320/closet2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two denim jackets, a lightweight vest and jacket, and a few tops and bottoms.</td></tr></tbody></table>In the process of sorting through my wardrobe I dealt with a few regrets and shed a few tears. But now I am ready to move on. On to the next chapter of my life. With the intention of dressing as well as I can while I travel.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/kteHvY-gJp0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com5http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2016/09/cleaning-out-my-closet.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-41664367032535655402016-08-31T02:53:00.001-04:002016-08-31T09:41:52.377-04:00A Day in the Life of a Piano TeacherTwenty years ago, my life was very different. I was married and a home schooling mom to my three children. I took care of our home, ground wheat berries and baked all our bread from scratch, sewed clothes, made quilts, and dabbled in various crafts. I was an active member of my local home schooling support group, wrote articles about home schooling, and gave seminars to encourage other home school teachers. One article I wrote, along with a picture of my sweet family, even appeared in the column&nbsp;<i>A Day in the Life</i>&nbsp;in Mary Pride's <a href="http://www.practicalhomeschooling.com/"><span style="color: red;">Homeschooling Today</span></a> magazine.<br /><br />Now I am divorced and my children are grown. Although I still have my wheat grinder and heavy duty mixer, I don't remember the last time I used them. But I am still making things, teaching, writing articles about the work I do, and giving seminars to encourage others. As they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same. So here is&nbsp;<i>A Day in the Life of a Piano Teacher</i>, an account of my activities on Tuesday, August 30, 2016.<br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kE0vVlOgTq0/V8Z9gQlbqII/AAAAAAAAHRs/v9cJOvtktogzJQR0ooTDztPl-7Bec2S-ACLcB/s1600/IMG_9897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kE0vVlOgTq0/V8Z9gQlbqII/AAAAAAAAHRs/v9cJOvtktogzJQR0ooTDztPl-7Bec2S-ACLcB/s320/IMG_9897.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />8:30-8:50 - Wake up, catch up on social media via iPhone<br />8:50-9:00 - Get up, start coffee, take out dog<br />9:00-9:30 - Write morning pages<br />9:30-9:40 - Scramble two eggs, top with sriracha, call it breakfast<br />9:40-10:55 - Make four pairs of earrings, take pictures, post on social media<br />10:55-11:00 - Change from pajamas into exercise wear<br />11:00-12:00 - Walk three miles<br />12:00-12:15 - Cool down, add three pairs of earrings to listings in Etsy shop<br />12:15-12:30 - &nbsp;Listen to son (aka RockStar) practice a speech for his Public Speaking class at UNG (due tomorrow)<br />12:30-1:00 - Shower, dress, heat up a turkey burrito leftover from last week, call it lunch<br />1:00-2:30 - Practice piano, read through some more music by the composer Zdenek Fibich, about whose life and music I am preparing a presentation<br />2:30-2:45 - Take out dog, bring in mail, fill water bottle<br />2:45 - 5:45 - Teach piano lessons<br />5:45-5:46 - Restroom break<br />5:46-9:00 - Teach piano lessons<br />9:00 - 9:15 - Take out dog, order pizza<br />9:15 - 9:45 - Listen to son practice revised speech for his Public Speaking class<br />9:45 - 10:45 - Eat pizza, drink a glass of wine wine, catch up on our days<br />10:45-11:00 - Run to Kroger, buy more wine<br />11:00-12:00 - Drink more wine, write blog post about day<br /><br />I guess I like keeping busy! But I firmly believe that I am doing what I was put on this earth to do and I wouldn't trade lives with anyone. I am satisfied with everything I accomplished today and look forward to all that Wednesday will bring!<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/1x4aa2i0HCE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com0http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2016/08/a-day-in-life-of-piano-teacher.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-20871881158411645902016-08-26T11:11:00.001-04:002016-08-26T22:05:17.635-04:00Fish Taco FridayI know, I know: shrimp aren't fish. They are arthropods, and have no backbone. They are more similar to spiders and grasshoppers and crabs than they are to fish. But they <i>are</i> seafood. Therefore, I hereby declare that I might talk about any taco made with seafood on <i>Fish Taco Friday.</i><br /><br />Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.<br />~ Ralph Waldo Emerson<br /><br />But I digress. Last weekend I tried a new menu item at my local <a href="http://delriodacula.com/"><span style="color: red;">Del Rio Restaurant</span></a>. <i>Sriracha Shrimp Tacos</i>. I love sriracha. I love shrimp. I figured this was a sure winner.<br /><br />I figured right.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXle3mH8iCM/V8BZZcs4lKI/AAAAAAAAHRE/U85mva3LQt4hmdqOsVnpv2_pmhWtGsYfACLcB/s1600/fishtacos1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXle3mH8iCM/V8BZZcs4lKI/AAAAAAAAHRE/U85mva3LQt4hmdqOsVnpv2_pmhWtGsYfACLcB/s320/fishtacos1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They were taco perfection, tender shrimp smothered in a simple honey sriracha glaze with just the right balance of hot and sweet, stuffed in grilled flour tortilla shells with just the tiniest bit of crunch, topped with sweet onions and a generous helping of fresh cilantra. On the side, there was a cup of rice and a generous portion of chipotle mayonnaise - delicious but completely unnecessary.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I stole the grilled jalapeno pepper from the plate of my dinner companion. We also shared a pitcher of Dos Equis Amber, served in tall frosted glasses. And of course there was chips and both red and brown salsa for starters.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was an altogether delightful dining experience.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now I just might have to find a recipe so I can try making these at home. On the other hand, it is hard to compete with perfection. Instead, I just might have to plan another visit to Del Rio very soon.</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/xLL48osSVdE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com2http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2016/08/fish-taco-friday_26.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-28963397459402566762016-08-24T00:30:00.000-04:002016-08-24T12:55:44.595-04:0088 Keys, 88 Days: Piano Practice Journal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWDbXuR1uG0/V7tIrrVvpRI/AAAAAAAAHQo/b5IFG34j5-8M6Awr8ZiBvxmhFxEfWc0AwCLcB/s1600/practicejournal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWDbXuR1uG0/V7tIrrVvpRI/AAAAAAAAHQo/b5IFG34j5-8M6Awr8ZiBvxmhFxEfWc0AwCLcB/s320/practicejournal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I have maintained a journal of my music practice for several years, using simple composition notebooks in which I keep a list of pieces practiced with a few notes here and there - metronome markings, sections memorized, and such. But as I have been recording assignments the past couple of weeks in <a href="http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2016/08/musical-monday-back-to-school.html"><span style="color: red;">the beautiful practice notebooks</span></a> I made for my students, it occurred to me that it would be lovely to have something a bit more aesthetically pleasing to use myself. So I set to work.<br /><br />Here is the results: <i>88 Keys, 88 Weeks: Piano Practice Journal</i>. Adapted from the pages I created for my students, each journal page in this notebook is designed to record a week's worth of practice, with an inspirational quote at the bottom for encouragement. In the back, there are pages for keeping track of new music terms encountered and a list of repertoire memorized. The very last page is a bibliography in which I share my all-time favorite books about practice and performance.<br /><br />After receiving several queries from several colleagues, I have decided to make these available for purchase, with additional color choices available for the front and back covers. To order, click <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/460532830/88-days-88-keys-piano-practice-journal"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a>.<br /><br />Happy practicing!<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/7h75C4V1JZc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com0http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2016/08/88-keys-88-days-piano-practice-journal.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-12358406429644919582016-08-22T21:47:00.003-04:002016-08-22T22:40:49.259-04:00America: A Tribute to the Patriots of 9/11<div>Many people don't know that I play the clarinet in addition to the piano. I joined the school band in the fourth grade and played all the way through my senior year in college. When I graduated with my bachelor's degree, I resigned from the University Wind Ensemble so that I could pour all my energy into my master's program. Years went by. I thought I would probably never play the clarinet seriously again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then last fall <a href="http://gwinnettsymphony.org/ensembles/conductors_leaders/wubbenhorst/"><span style="color: red;">Dr. Thomas Martin Wubbenhorst</span></a>, the former director of bands at Georgia State University from 1991-2000, returned to Atlanta to conduct the <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://gwinnettsymphony.org/ensembles/wind_orchestra/"><span style="color: red;">Gwinnett Symphony Wind Orchestra</span></a> </span>(GSWO). This unique ensemble draws literature from the symphonic band, wind ensemble and military band traditions and varies in size accordingly. Membership is by audition with the conductor or by invitation.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I'm in, and I play both the clarinet and the piano in the GSWO. We performed three successful concerts last year and have four in the works for this year. In our first performance, which will take place at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth, Georgia on Sunday, September 11, 2016, we will join forces with the Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra (Robert Trocina, director), the Gwinnett Symphony Chorus (Rick Smith, director), and the Gwinnett Symphony Jazz Orchestra (Jose Manuel Garcia, director) in a program called "America: A Tribute to the Patriots of 9/11". The program will include Barber's <i>Adagio</i>, Copland's <i>A Lincoln Portrait</i>, and Clausen's<i> Memorial</i>. The GSWO's contribution will be Maslanka's Fourth Symphony. I have fallen head over heels in love with this powerful music and have been working hard preparing the challenging piano part to play with the ensemble. To whet your appetite, here is a recording of the United States Navy Band performing the work.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/A2xcMoQ6ML4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A2xcMoQ6ML4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>If you live within driving distance of Atlanta we would love to have you come to our performance. To purchase tickets for the concert (and for the 20th Anniversary Gala to follow, supporting Care for Cops, the Georgia Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Operation Homefront), click <a href="http://www.gwinnettsymphony.org/giving/Buy%20Tickets/"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a>. Hope to see you there!</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/25ajD6EsCJ4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com0http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2016/08/america-tribute-to-patriots-of-911.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-75172278341060977012016-08-08T01:00:00.000-04:002016-08-08T08:16:41.348-04:00Musical Monday: Back to School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ4ZLBfC56E/V6exRf5X1eI/AAAAAAAAHPA/FmxqIWTH4e467NLZIinU3IM15aNRwfY6gCLcB/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ4ZLBfC56E/V6exRf5X1eI/AAAAAAAAHPA/FmxqIWTH4e467NLZIinU3IM15aNRwfY6gCLcB/s320/blog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Today it's back to the books for the children in my local school district and back to full time piano teaching for me.<br /><br />I've always loved this time of year. When I was a kid, it meant going shopping for new clothes and new shoes and school supplies. Of course, now I don't <i>need</i> a new box of crayons but I usually buy one anyway, along with a stack of composition notebooks (on sale, of course) and paper, printer ink, folder, and everything else I need to get ready for a new year of teaching.<br /><br />Last year, I invested in a comb binding machine and made assignment notebooks for my students. In the notebooks, we kept track of weekly assignments and daily practice along with music terms we encountered throughout the year and a list of pieces memorized. This past weekend, I revamped last year's cover and updated the inside pages and put together this year's notebooks. I am very pleased with the results.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsLiYVC7VeE/V6exaQ8vmiI/AAAAAAAAHPE/zgBiQfLgE8oWB2Bp-kfnIk30e3y0LbyYwCLcB/s1600/blog%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsLiYVC7VeE/V6exaQ8vmiI/AAAAAAAAHPE/zgBiQfLgE8oWB2Bp-kfnIk30e3y0LbyYwCLcB/s320/blog%2B2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />The first page of the notebook is a lesson and practice contract. This week, after I greet each student and hand over the assignment book, I will review the terms of the contract, which includes my expectations about conduct at lessons and practice at home. Then I ask each student to make a realistic commitment to practice a minimum number of minutes each day a specific number of days per week. These numbers vary from student to student but once the page is signed there is little room for excuses for not meeting the established goal. It takes the responsibility for practice off me and places it right where it belongs: on the student.<br /><br />I also put together music theory folders, a vehicle for transporting weekly music theory assignments to and from lessons, and made thirty sets of music note flash cards for those students who haven't yet made it into the "minute club" - being able to name and play all 24 treble and bass clef line and space notes in one minute or less. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AMIrlRttFI8/V6exkp6Eu7I/AAAAAAAAHPI/lmLL41vW_MAF3K9YWMy-vkZZ8wi7IypigCLcB/s1600/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AMIrlRttFI8/V6exkp6Eu7I/AAAAAAAAHPI/lmLL41vW_MAF3K9YWMy-vkZZ8wi7IypigCLcB/s320/blog3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Yes, all this printing, binding, and cutting takes time. But it is time well spent. It gets the academic year off to an organized, intentional start, with goal setting a team effort. Students are empowered for success one practice session at a time.<br /><br />I will be happy to share my assignment notebook pages (Word documents) and music note flash cards &nbsp;(PDF file) with any of my readers who might be interested in adapting them for use in their own music studios. Just leave a comment at the end of this post and include your email address. Questions? Leave a comment and I will do my best to answer. Ideas? Please share them here as well. There is so much we can learn from each other!<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/M_KDb6iy7e8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com10http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2016/08/musical-monday-back-to-school.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-43234122513366746152016-08-05T10:57:00.002-04:002016-08-05T15:49:57.799-04:00Fish Taco Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm changing things up a bit. Beginning next week, I will blog about music on Mondays and writing on Wednesdays. Fridays, however, I might write about anything.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Including fish tacos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting my brother and his wife at their new digs in Dunedin, Florida. We crammed as much as we could into the four days I spent there: two beaches, five movies, and too many great restaurants and cute shops to count.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And it was at the <a href="http://www.clearskydraughthaus.com/"><span style="color: red;">Clear Sky Draught House</span></a> I had the best fish tacos of my life (so far).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-veKgZl50OUQ/V6Skky14unI/AAAAAAAAHOo/D8pt1Xktq80CAEqiEJZZOvqC_Uc1D4uuQCLcB/s1600/Dunedin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-veKgZl50OUQ/V6Skky14unI/AAAAAAAAHOo/D8pt1Xktq80CAEqiEJZZOvqC_Uc1D4uuQCLcB/s320/Dunedin1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here they are.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v9JSw2fzDi0/V6SklfdKxDI/AAAAAAAAHOs/JK1SN8Gw2fkhGhdQFVyjna9B-t5JlvslwCLcB/s1600/Dunedin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v9JSw2fzDi0/V6SklfdKxDI/AAAAAAAAHOs/JK1SN8Gw2fkhGhdQFVyjna9B-t5JlvslwCLcB/s320/Dunedin2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Salsa verde, shredded cabbage, cotija cheese on top of perfectly seasoned flaky fish served with a side of chips and salsa and jalapenos. They were, to quote Baby Bear, <i>just right</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I also had a couple of their house brew Rowlock IPA - smooth with a citrus, hoppy finish. it was a perfect pairing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">School starts here next week, and I will resume full-time teaching and daily piano practice on Monday. But I intend to make time for walking, writing, jewelry making, and so many other things that bring balance to my life and joy to my heart.<br /><br />Like fish tacos.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I look forward to sharing my experiences right here.</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/3LqFzYG2L60" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com2http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2016/08/fish-taco-friday.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692567786432544242.post-27836054287073068982016-07-27T01:00:00.000-04:002016-08-10T00:01:55.104-04:00Failing Better<i>Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.</i><br />~ Samuel Beckett<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aztg-R4k3Co/V5godbLs7AI/AAAAAAAAHOM/0k4KH6oh2CMoxegJG2-OUMdtBqzTCc-swCLcB/s1600/IMG_7838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aztg-R4k3Co/V5godbLs7AI/AAAAAAAAHOM/0k4KH6oh2CMoxegJG2-OUMdtBqzTCc-swCLcB/s320/IMG_7838.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />I failed.<br /><br />Despite my best efforts, I fell far short of my goal of completing the first draft of a novel during <a href="http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2016/07/panowriwe.html"><span style="color: red;">PaNoWriWe</span></a>. I didn't even come close to writing 50,000 words; as of Monday night, my total word count was only 7,056.<br /><br />The good news? I AM WRITING AGAIN.<br /><br />And I have about convinced myself that maybe I <i>can</i> find a way to make writing a part of my daily routine. Even after school starts again and I resume full-time music teaching piano practice.<br /><br />Because while I like to think that I don't waste time, if I am brutally honest with myself I can admit that I do: five minutes here checking blog stats and fifteen minutes there scrolling through the news feed on Facebook and ten minutes somewhere else looking at jewelry ideas on Pinterest, well, right there is thirty minutes that might arguably be better spent writing.<br /><br />And while there is nothing inherently wrong with any of those things, if I want to write a book - I mean if I really,&nbsp;<i>truly</i>&nbsp;want to write a book, then I need to make writing a higher priority.<br /><br />Although my story has already taken some twists and turns, I haven't strayed so far from my note card scene outline that it isn't keeping me on track. So what if I were to designate a particular time slot each and every day to writing? Schedule it like I would a piano student, set a timer, pick up where I left off the day before, and write as fast as I can for thirty minutes? Perhaps set a weekly word count goal - say 2500 words - and make up the difference on Saturday and Sunday?<br /><br />This just might work.<br /><br />If you're skeptical, I can't say I blame you. If you've been reading this blog any length of time you know I have failed to meet my goals countless times before.<br /><br />But I remain optimistic. Because maybe <i>this</i> time I have come up with the plan that will get me where I want to go.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SometimesItsCloudySometimesItsClear/~4/OvXA1b_o8YY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Pam Asberryhttps://plus.google.com/118116036569199925334noreply@blogger.com6http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/2016/07/failing-better.html